Knobbing Around

You may remember that stripping the paint from our door knobs was one of my resolutions this year (#12 in fact). I'm always so sad when I see people have painted over antique metal (unless it is rusty). I know everyone has there thing, but that is mine. So, it should come as no surprise that the knobs in this house bugged me. Big time. Especially since many of the knobs looked like this.

I mean come on! If you are going to paint something at least paint it well!

I have been keeping my eye out for a non toxic paint removal system but most required a crock pot and I didn't want to deal with it. I poked and poked and finally found one that was a stove top method. One $5 pot later and I was working away.

It's a pretty simple method.

• Dump a layer of baking soda in a pot you don't plan to use again.
• Put in hardware
• Fill to cover
• Bring to boil and then simmer for 30 min or until paint is gone.

Boiling makes it go faster but you have to stand there and watch. After the paint is loose you just scrub with a wire brush and you are set. Look how much prettier they are clean and paint free!

Not all of the face plates were pretty but a little polishing restores their luster.

The knobs themselves were a bit tricky but the key is just letting them dry fully (water gets lodged in them). My knobs didn't shine up as much and were a bit rusty so I gave them a spritz of ORB spray and they were good as new (see, nothing against paint when it is needed).

Library Door

Bathroom

Obviously I still need to paint the doors but that is a resolution for another time.

Anyone else doing simple updates lately? Sometimes I just need a break from the major project the kitchen has become.
Cheers!